FEC approves N11bn for fire fighting trucks, tech building

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N11bn for the purchase of fire fighting trucks for the Nigeria Fire Service (NFS) and construction of technology building for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The approval was granted during the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House Villa, Abuja.

Minister of Interior, General AbdulRahaman Dambazau (rtd) who briefed newsmen at the end of the meeting, said N3.9bn was approved for the purchase of 22 fire fighting trucks and water tanks for the fire service. He said the purchase of the vehicles was part of the reform initiatives of the present administration to turn around the country’s fire service.

“The reform is not only in the area of procurement, we are also focusing on the issue of welfare and training of the personnel of the fire service,” he said.

The Minister who recalled that 21 vehicles were purchased in 2016 and 22 last year, said the 22 vehicles when purchased would be distributed to the fire service in across the country.

Similarly, the FEC has also approved N7.1bn for the construction of technology building for the Nigeria Immigration Service. Dambazau said the contract has been awarded to Julius Berger.

“The whole idea is to bring together all the data used by the NIS under one roof. For now, we have these data domiciled with the service providers. Even though, we have been able to bring some, it’s still in piecemeal,” he said.

He said when completed, the technology building would enable the Immigration service interface with sister agencies working on internal security, border control, among others.